Ok folks. An assignment for the GPS class on Wednesday, "RTFM." Time to dust off the manual for your GPS (if you have one). Besides turning the device on, look up waypoints (or landmark, if I remember correctly, in Magellan speak) and the GoTo function (assuming that your GPS has it).

If the next meeting is about gps usage I'd like to attend. It's a small haul to get there what with the price of gas and all. But, it's about time I made it to a meeting. Anything I should/could bring?

While working diligently on my homework, I realized I have yet to take advantage of a feature found on my Garmin GPS III+.

I have a 'frugal' 1.44MB of uploadable map space on my unit, but I have never used it. It looks like I can get more detailed map information from a "mapsource" software package such as TOPO Western USA.

According to my quick research, I should be able to load several counties of information into my old GPS III+. The Western USA covers Colorado and Utah so I could load detailed info on the places I'm likely to need my GPS.

Where is the best place to purchase said software? Is there a better software package recomendation you would like to share with a hiker/snowshoer/wheeler/mt. biker?

That's a great price for Garmin's MapSource. My GPS is the older Garmin GPS III which, unfortunately, can't upload maps. I use the DeLorme Topo USA on my laptop and with the appropriate cable, I can upload routes and waypoints. Of course, you should always have a paper map with you too. And a compass , just in case. It's there in the back of your nightstand, with your cub scout knife.